AZW file format description

Many people share .azw files without attaching instructions on how to use it. Yet it isn’t evident for everyone which program a .azw file can be edited, converted or printed with. On this page, we try to provide assistance for handling .azw files.

.azw - Amazon Kindle eBook

AZW file is an Amazon Kindle eBook. With the launch of the Kindle eBook reader, Amazon.com created the AZW format. It is based on the Mobipocket standard, with a slightly different serial number scheme.

Naturally, other applications may also use the .azw file extension. Even harmful programs can create .azw files. Be especially cautious with .azw files coming from an unknown source!

Can't open a .azw file?

When you double-click a file to open it, Windows examines the filename extension. If Windows recognizes the filename extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that filename extension. When Windows does not recognize a filename extension, you receive the following message:

Windows can't open this file:

example.azw

To open this file, Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select one from a list of programs that are installed on your computer.

To avoid this error, you need to set the file association correctly.

Open Control Panel > Control Panel Home > Default Programs > Set Associations.

Select a file type in the list and click Change Program.

The .azw file extension is often given incorrectly!

According to the searches on our site, these misspellings were the most common in the past year: